Cisco defines cyber
security as “the practice of protecting
systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks”. Cyber security has
become an essential component of our daily digital and cyber life. In today’s world
where our daily lives are hinged on connected devices, internet and digital
systems, the need for cyber security awareness is paramount. In the cyber
space, the damage that a cyber security breach can cause can be huge than the
dropping of an atomic bomb into a city. Advanced cyber defense programs benefit
everyone whether you are in a tech savvy person, a person who is always
connected to the internet, government, policy makers or the ordinary man on the
street.
According to the Cyber crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police
Service, Ghana lost over USD 105 million to cyber crime at the end of 2018.
These figures are the official records from the nation’s elite unit fighting cyber crime. In the previous year (2017), Ghana lost a little over USD 69
million to cyber crime. These figures could be double compared to what have been
reported. This is because most firms do not report breaches due to cyber attack for fear of losing their clients. For some time now, Ghana has been fighting what
I term the very low-level cyber crime known in our local palace as “Sakawa”
or “yahooyahoo”. In this modern
world, hackers are stealing data from countries, intellectual properties,
secret codes nukes, etc.
In this part of the
world, our governments see cyber security threats as secondary compared to
gorilla warfare’s or terrorist attacks which are rear. Governments have invested
hugely into buying arms, fighter jets, and forming huge armies to protect it
land, sea and air. What about forming an
army for the cyber space? The absence of cyber army could be attributed to
the fact that the leaders or politicians do not see these threats with their
physical eyes and the level of destruction it can cause. Not to fault them, it
is in most cases, not visible to see the threats that is caused by cyber
threats. But as we move towards more sophisticated networked cities with strong
digital footprints, we should start to worry about the threats cyber security
comes with. In these days, water systems, electricity grid systems, traffic
control systems, Toll collection systems just to mention a few are being
controlled through remote networked systems. Any breach in any of these systems
could have a catastrophic impact on an entire nation.
Ghana is the 9th
ranked nation with highest social media presence by its citizens. This shows
the extent of internet penetration and its usage in Ghana. Also, we ranked 89th
(2018) on the global cyber security index initiative of the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU). On the African continent, Ghana ranks 11th
with Mauritius, Kenya and Rwanda picking the first three positions. On the
global front, Ghana is categorized as a “medium” level of commitment. In this
category, we are part of countries that have developed complex commitments and
engaged in cyber security program and initiatives.
This categorization
puts us at far with countries such as Iran, South Africa, Cyprus, Bahrain,
United Arab Emirates, Greece, Malta, Czech Republic, Morocco, Iceland and
Nigeria just to mention a few. A review of the indicators that goes into the
categorization are the legal frameworks and institutions available in a country
to deal with cyber security and cybercrimes, Technical institutions available
in a country to deal with cyber crime, Organizational capability and policy coordination’s,
Capacity building of professionals dealing directly with cyber security and
their know-how, and finally cooperation with partners, countries and sharing
information with networks.
A careful critique of
these 5 pillars gives a hint about what could have accounted for Ghana’s good
showing on the Cyber Security Global index. Firstly, Ghana recently launched an
improved Ghana National Cyber Security Policy & Strategy which details of the
institutions that would be created and the legal frameworks. This followed by the
appointment of a national Cyber Security Advisor and the setting up of the National
Cyber Security Council, National Cyber Security Center, National Computer
Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT) and the National Cyber Security Policy
Working Group. The setting up of these institutions helped in boosting our
ranking.
Ghana, being well-known
for taking lead in ratifying UN/AU conventions, did not disappoint and became
the 5th country on the African continent to have acceded to the convention on
Cyber crime in December 2018 after Mauritius, Senegal, Cape Verde and Morocco.
Ghana has also ratified the African Union Convention on Cyber Security &
Personal Data Protection, also known as the Malabo Convention. Apart from ratifying conventions and
setting up institutions, what are the measures being put in place to safeguard
the government, public and private sector from data breaches, and loss of
monies from cyber crime. As a cyber security enthusiast, I can see the need
to create a cyber crime unit within the Ghana Armed Forces.
This unit should be
equipped and trained to protect the cyber space of Ghana. Recruitment into this
unit should not be based on any physical looks (height and built) but rather on
the intellect. The most brilliant
computer science/engineering students from out nations universities should be
poached and recruited into this unit, train them and keep them off the public
eye. If the almighty USA can talk of Russian interference in their
elections, then it would be very easy for a North Korean or even a Ghanaian
hacker to hack into our elections and change results in favor of a candidate.
We are developing a world class National ID system which is going to interlink
other services, it is time to safeguard the huge data that is being collected
by the NIA. Just recently Bulgaria had a breach of a national character where over
5 million personal data of tax payers’ details were stolen.
It is believed that
cyber warfare’s and defenses are done in the quiet, but it is my hope that
Ghana is not just creating the institutions, ratifying the protocols and going
to sleep but rather putting in the hard work by developing the human resource,
creating a strong cyber security army which can fight off any offensive from
any country when the need arises.
Author: Samuel Hanson
Hagan, Member of Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana, and a Telecommunications
Consultant
No comments:
Post a Comment